BJP party mentor Lal Krishna Advani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other top ministers and a slew of MPs were present at a condolence meeting organised in Arun Jaitley's remembrance by BJP in New Delhi. The 'Shradhanjali' programme was held at the weight lifting hall in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Arun Jaitley's wife Sangita, daughter Sonali and son Rohan were present on the occasion

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid glowing tributes to Arun Jaitley, saying the former Union minister's life "inspires us to work harder for the nation" and he feels the loss of his "very close friend" every moment. Modi described the former finance minister, a multi-faceted personality who was a legal luminary and had a keen interest in sports administration, as an "invaluable gem" in public life.

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Praising Arun Jaitley for his friendly behaviour, Amit Shah said, "One of his characteristics was establishing friendly relations with people from across the parties. He had mastered the art of making friends of below and over his age."

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Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal joined other leaders from several political parties in paying glowing tributes to Arun Jaitley

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Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal paid homage to former Union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley at a condolence meeting organised in his remembrance by BJP in New Delhi

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Turning emotional, Narendra Modi, who had decades-long close relations with Arun Jaitley said it was his "misfortune" that he had to pay condolences to a very good old friend who was younger to him. Modi lamented that he could not pay his last respects to Jaitley after he passed away on August 24. Modi was then away on a three-nation tour. "I will always carry this burden in my heart," he said.

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Arun Jaitley had the kind of personality which could make any person he met his fan, said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "I first met Jaitley personally in the 80s. Even in those days, he had the charming personality and manners which could make any person his fan," Rajnath said at condolence meet organised by BJP

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered late Arun Jaitley saying that the senior BJP leader had played a major role in his acquittal in "legal battle". "He stood by my side firmy like a stone whenever I had to face difficult times in my life. He supported me on all fronts, be it related to the party, legal battle or something else. If I come out of that battle, it was because Arun ji's played a major role in it," Amit Shah said

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BJP working president Jagat Prakash Nadda also remembered Jaitley as an "eloquent speaker, avid politician, and an advisor for everyone", adding that his demise was an "irreparable and personal loss". Nadda continued, "Whenever I felt as if I were on the brink of (mental) collapse, he supported and encouraged me."

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Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan recounted an anecdote which had moved him personally as it involved his son and newly elected MP Chirag Paswan. "I remember after Chirag's first speech in the Parliament, Jaitleyji sent him a note full of praises and wishing him luck. That set Chirag's mind on politics, once and for all, only Arunji could have had such an influence on people," Paswan said.

Former Union Minister Arun Jaitley passed away in New Delhi on August 24 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 66. He was cremated with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in the national capital on August 25.

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About The Gallery

Several leaders including opposition leaders paid homage to former Union Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley at a condolence meeting organised in his remembrance by BJP in New Delhi.Jaitley's family members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior BJP leader LK Advani and many other senior leaders were present. All pictures/Pallav Paliwal

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